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Thursday, 27 July 2017

IG seeks harsh punishment against kidnapping

According to Inspector-General (IG) Ibrahim Idris, kidnapping is thriving because there are no laws in place.
He spoke in Abuja during the monthly meeting with Commissioners of Police and other senior officers.

He said: “When I went to the National Assembly, I told them that what
we need to challenge kidnapping is punishment. I think these boys see
us parade people but they don’t see them taken to court or sentenced to
death.

“In some states where kidnapping leads to death of somebody, the
penalty is death. But they only see the court sentencing such persons to
10 years or life imprisonment.

“I feel that is why they feel more relaxed and I told the National
Assembly that we need to have more stringent punishment for kidnappers. I
think that is the only way to check the menace because they see it as a
child’s play.

Idris added: “If you go all over the commands across the states, you
would discover that some of these youths are getting more involved in
kidnapping. Like I told the National Assembly, I believe if we can get
laws to check it, we are going to see a lot of changes.

“In Niger Republic, a Boko Haram suspect was arrested and within one
week, judgment was passed.

That sends a very strong message that whoever
that is planning to go into it should desist. But here, we have
suspects year-in-year-out appearing in court and matter continually
adjourned.

“It does not serve as a deterrent to them and even most of them kept
in Police cells are more comfortable there. So, I think to address the
level of kidnapping in the country, a law should be passed.”

The IG added that Inspector Idris Musa, who lost his life during a
combat with suspected Boko Haram members in Kano State, would be given
posthumous award.

He said: “We need to recommend some of our men who are doing well.
Musa went to the suspect’s house, knocked at his door. The man came out,
went in again and started throwing Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs)
from inside. One of the IEDs exploded, affected his brain and that is
what led to his death.

“He would be given posthumous promotion because he deserves it. It
would serve as an encouragement and morale booster to other policemen so
that they can put in their best because I am sure that Musa was a very
gallant officer.”

To also get accurate data and account of those arrested nationwide,
the IG tasked Visiting Round Officers to take daily stock of those in
their custody.

He said they should interact with them and know why they were
arrested, adding that it would reduce the rate of illegal detention and
cases of human rights abuses.

“When you make arrest, you must inform us at the headquarters so that
we can keep tabs. We have statistics of some of these arrests because
it is very embarrassing to see in the newspapers how citizens are
harassed unnecessarily.

“Misconduct of our men is very disturbing. We have received several
complaints that are mind-bugging. I think it is important to have
Visiting Round officers who must go round police each Area Commands and
Divisions.”